Researchers from The University of California found that black tea stimulates the production of good bacteria in your gut and changes our energy metabolism, Mail Onlinereports.

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The study, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, looked at the effects of black and green tea on mice, who were divided into four groups and given different diets.

Their weight was measured over four weeks and, lo and behold, the mice who were given black or green tea extract lost as much weight as the animals who had been placed on a low-fat diet.

This was supported by their gut health: the mice who'd consumed tea extract had fewer gut bacteria associated with obesity and more of those linked to lean body mass.

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And, best of all, the mice who'd had black tea also had higher levels of a bacterium that's known to target the metabolism.

'It was known that green tea polyphenols are more effective and offer more health benefits than black tea polyphenols since green tea chemicals are absorbed into the blood and tissue,' said study author Susanne Henning.

'Our new findings suggest that black tea, through a specific mechanism through the gut microbiome, may also contribute to good health and weight loss in humans.

'For black tea lovers, there may be a new reason to keep drinking it.'

Of course, if you enjoy your brew with loads of whole milk and sugar, then those extra calories probably won't do your waistline the world of good...

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